What if the simple act of doodling could be the key to unlocking a calm, more focused mind? On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Cartoonist Cara Bean joined a group of Upper School (US) students in the Lindberg-Serries Theater to share how art aids mental health.
During the presentation, Ms. Bean explained how specific parts of the brain impact teenagers’ wellbeing: the hypothalamus for
sleep and the hippocampus and amygdala for memory. Ms. Bean thought that these sections of the brain would be important to highlight, so students can learn more about themselves before taking action on their mental health.
“The visit to BB&N was meaningful to me,” Ms. Bean said. “I was glad to meet students and staff who took a moment to pause from their busy schedules to watch my presentation. Together, we reflected on the shared reality that we all have brains and nervous systems—and that we have the capacity to care for and support one another through life’s challenges.”
US Visual Arts Teacher Miyoung Lee met Ms. Bean when they both previously worked in the Lexington High School system before Ms. Bean became a published author. Ms. Lee remembered Ms. Bean saying she was taking time off to work on a “big project.” That project became her book, “Here Am I, I Am Me: An Illustrated Guide to Mental Health.” Ms. Lee coordinated Ms. Bean’s visit to the US. Pages from the book were on display in the Lower Art Gallery in the weeks leading up to the talk. Visitors to the Lower Gallery were also encouraged to draw on a larger mural.
“Cara is just an incredible artist, and also she’s a great person, and I support what she is doing,” Ms. Lee said. “She was inspired by our students at Lexington who were struggling with mental health.”
Ms. Lee noted that students at both Lexington High School and BB&N have “high levels of stress and anxiety,” she said.
“Here Am I,I Am Me:An Illustrated Guide to Mental Health” is Ms. Bean’s first published book. On her website, it is described as “a full- color graphic novel-style adventure through the brain that demystifies and de-stigmatizes emotional and mental health for children ages 12 and up.”
It covers neuroscience by personifying the parts of the brain into characters. “The book explains what is going on in the reader’s head in an accessible, approachable way that ultimately serves to empower the reader,” according to Ms. Bean’s website. Her book also includes a foreword by clinical psychologist Mandi White-Adjmani, PhD.
The event on Nov. 20 was one of Ms. Bean’s first times speaking at a school. She brought a longer slideshow than she had planned on showing, which may have made the presentation feel less engaging, according to Ms. Lee.
“Her slideshow, she didn’t realize that she brought the longer version of what she wanted to present.”
Ms. Bean used a cloud-shaped box to collect questions, but only a handful of students wrote in. Ms. Lee encouraged students to follow up with emails to Ms. Bean. “Maybe students can ask questions related to art or mental health.”
US students need to prioritize their mental health, Ms. Lee said.
“I think just to be aware of their mental health and be aware to take time to take care of that part of themselves,” she said. “I look at my students and see they look exhausted, and I just think they need to take time for themselves.”
Sophia Chester ’25 attended the talk with her woodworking class.
“I took that doodling can be a creative way to express yourself and to reach others as well,” Sophia said.
Lucia Longstreet-Lipson ’27 said Ms. Bean’s talk demonstrated the work it takes to author a graphic novel.
“Seeing her full process and how much detail was in every choice made me admire her work on a deeper level,” she said.
For Lucia, it also provided insight into the mental health issues facing teenagers.
“I think the talk was important because it brought awareness to mental health problems and how they might be more common than they seem,” she said.
Shiloh Page ’28 wished the talk focused more on mental health.
“I thought the presentation was good, though I would have liked to learn more about the science behind her statements,” she said. “At the same time, I understand she is an artist, and that was why she was brought in to talk to us.”
The presentation of important information about mental health through cartoons was engaging, Shiloh said.
“Bringing in an artist like Cara Bean is valuable because it not only educates and reminds us of what we should be doing to protect our minds, but it also is interesting in that it is combined with cool graphics and makes readers develop a greater understanding of the topic.”
